New Hope MBC

Visit www.newhopewichita.org for registration forms!

“Who Flies The Kite?”

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12.4)

During a breezy March day, a town’s Mayor happened through the park where a small boy was flying the largest, most beautiful kite he had ever seen. It soared so high and floated so gently, the Mayor was sure it had to be visible from the next town. Since his little town did not have very many things to note to its credit, the Mayor decided to award a “Key to the City” to the one responsible for setting this spectacle aloft.

"Who is responsible for flying this kite?” the Mayor asked. “I am said the boy. I made the kite with my own hands. I painted all the beautiful pictures and constructed it with scrapes I found in my father’s workshop. I’m responsible for flying the kite,” he declared.

“I am responsible for flying the kite,” said the wind. It is my whims that keeps it aloft and sets a direction it will go. Unless I blow, the kite will not fly at all,” the wind pressed its claim.

“Not so” said the kite’s tail. “I make it said and give it stability against the wind’s whims. Without me, the kite would spin out of control and ever the boy would not be able to save it from crashing to the earth. I am responsible for flying the kite,” declared the tail.

After reading this story to my son Cameron, I asked him this question, Who really is responsible for flying the kite? They all are responsible for flying the kite responded Cameron! Wow Cameron realized the important truth that it took all of them to fly the kite, not just one of them.

Sometimes adults aren’t so smart. In the hurry of a business day, it’s easy to forget that the boss or team leader is just that, the leader of the team. Each member is important in keeping projects moving and meeting desired goals.

Take a moment to consider your co-workers. Ask yourself, “How our progress would be changed if that person didn’t exist?” Next time you pass their work area, tell them you’re “glad to be a part of their team!”

Now think about your church, think about the Pastor, Ministry Leaders, Auxiliary Heads, Ushers, Choir Members, Nursery Workers, Kitchen Staff, Office Staff, Pew Mates, and even the members across the sanctuary, now ask yourself when was the last time you thanked them for being a member of the team? When was the last time you told them, “I’m glad you’re a part of my family, and I am glad that I am a part of your family.” In this Kingdom Building Business it takes all kinds of people, all manners of talents, all areas of gifting, to complete the awesome task that God has blessed us to accomplish.

As God leads us to higher heights and new opportunities, let always remember, Working together Works!!!

Serving the Master,

Pastor Terrell D. Davis

Consider the Followers of the Cross

Matthew 10:38 “anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Throughout the centuries, multitudes have become converted and transformed to a new way of life...and all because of what was accomplished by Jesus Christ at Calvary...therefore millions have come to the cross to begin life anew. Let’s examine some things that happen at the cross:

At the foot of the cross…

• Many tears of genuine repentance have been shed…
• Many horrible and ruthless sins have been forgiven
• Many frustrating fears have been removed…
• Many difficult problems have been solved…
• Many broken hearts and diseased bodies have been healed
• Many despicable lifestyles have been radically changed

And, there have also been…

• Many, many life long commitments made!

It was there, at the foot of the cross, where their life became “different”…

• Different because they began to talk different…
• Different because they began to live different…
• Different because they began to act different…
• Different because they began to think different…
• Different because they began to handle responsibility different…

And, they have also become different…

• Many, many become different because they began to look at their future in a different way!

When they come to the cross, this made them different from what they had been. To the genuine Christian the cross is of utmost importance… therefore, So what…

• If the night is dark
• If the mountain is steep
• If the valley is deep
• If the path is narrow
• If the journey is long
• If the work is hard

Let us be willing to follow His wherever he leads us. No sacrifice He asks of us can compare to the sacrifice He has made on our behalf.

To the person who is presently following Him “afar off.:” there is room at the cross for you.

Serving the Master,
Terrell D. Davis Pastor

"Do Not Be Afraid of Failing"

Do not be afraid of taking risks or being criticized. Someone has said, "If you don't want to be criticized, don't say anything, do anything, or be anything."

Think about this truth. Do not be afraid of failing. It is the way you learn to do things right. It does not matter how many times you fall down. What matters is how many times you get up. In addition, do not wait for everybody else before you do something. It is always a few people who get things done and keep things going.

Most pastors of churches will admit less than 20% of the members do more than 80% of the church's work. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out where the strong man stumbled or where the doer of great deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, doing the best he can. The credit belongs to the one whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again...And who, while daring greatly spends himself in a worthy cause so that his place may not be among those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Do not be afraid to be criticized. The person who always sweeps before his neighbor's door has never seriously examined his own doorstep. If one belittles you, he is only trying to cut you down to his size. Remember, it is easier to be critical than it is to be correct.

Serving the Master,
Terrell D. Davis Pastor

I want to challenge us with a simple statement for 2012: Don't Look Back!

Satchel Paige had this good rule for living. Don't look back, something may be gaining on you. The Bible also calls for not looking back. Looking back hinders forward progress. Looking back may cause you to be depressed. Looking back may cause you defeat. My advice is:

1. Don't look back at sins that have been forgiven. God really puts our sins away (Psalm 103). Perhaps you believe this for others, but not for yourself.
2. Don't look back at defeats that get you down. All people have defeats in the past. Only those who never attempt anything are free from failing. Don't allow failing to make you feel that you are a failure.
3. Don't look back at the past and see it as better than it really was (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Israel looked back to Egypt (Nubmers 11:18). Distance lends enchantment. Vance Hanner said, "The present is never as good as it used to be." A great future beats a great past every time.
4. Don't look back at old conflicts that make you rehearse old arguments and statements that lead to a return of old hurts and pains.
5. Don't look back at old victories that may cause you to think you have arrived. (Phillippians 3:13-14).

In conclusion, let me say: "Look Up! Look On! Look Out! Look Ahead! The fields are beautiful and the Best is Yet to Come!

A Spiritual Son of one of the greatest Whosoever's (Dr. G. Calvin McCutchen Sr.)

Serving the Master,

Terrell D. Davis